After studying under Peter Voulkos at the Los Angeles County Art Institute, Denver native Paul Soldner (1921–2011) became a pottery professor there in the 1960s, when the revolutionary California Clay Movement took root.
Soldner pioneered American-style raku firing methods, experimental updates of the centuries-old Japanese process, which involve pulling red-hot sculptures out of the kiln to be bathed in smoke or dipped in cold water, resulting in beautifully frazzled glazes.
“These new firing and post-firing reduction methods often led to spontaneous, unpredictable and quite wonderful results,” says Greg Nielson, of Dwell Floor Five, in Studio City, California.
Soldner’s raku vases, for instance, with their charred surfaces, seem to smile humbly through the scars of their past adversity.
Alongside the likes of Toshiko Takaezu, Soldner innovated chunky, funky ceramics in the mid-century and beyond. He is one Voulkos student at whom enthusiasts should take a serious look, advises dealer Jayson Lawfer.
The owner of The Nevica Project, a gallery with venues in Chicago and Kansas City, Lawfer explains that Soldner “was a master of raku and was credited with bringing the historic Asian technique to the U.S.” He adds that “Soldner used simple techniques of throwing pottery on the wheel, but to make his sculptural forms more interesting, he also pressed burlap into the clay and stepped on it to give it different textures."
Find Paul Soldner pottery for sale on 1stDibs.
Paul Soldner Signed Large Modern Pottery Raku Slab Charger Wall Relief Sculpture
By Paul Soldner
Located in Studio City, CA
An amazing and unique piece by renowned American pottery and ceramic master Paul Soldner who in the 1950s was Peter Voulkos' first student and who later became famed for developing the technique now known as "American Raku" - a practice of using low temperature salt firing...
Earthenware
Poul Soldner Raku-Fired Crazed Pedestal Piece Vessel
By Paul Soldner
Located in Chicago, IL
Poul Soldner Raku-Fired Crazed Pedestal Piece Vessel 1983 marked underside 83-28-6283 Sodner attended the Los Angeles County Art Institute, and became Peter Voulkos's first student i...
Ceramic
Poul Soldner Raku-Fired Crazed Pedestal Piece
By Paul Soldner
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Soldner Raku-Fired Crazed Pedestal Piece, Exhibited and published in Paul Soldner "A Retrospective" 1991 Page 97, Pedestal Piece (84-49) 1984, c...
Ceramic
Paul Soldner California Studio Stoneware Pottery Vase
By Paul Soldner
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A spouted stoneware bottleneck vase with tenmoku glaze created by Paul Soldner of Claremont, California, circa 1960. Vase stands 9 1/8" in height and is signed Soldner on the bottom....
Stoneware
Ceramic 'Pedestal Piece' Vessel by Paul Soldner
By Paul Soldner
Located in Dallas, TX
Paul Soldner (American, 1921-2011) was an early pupil of legendary, abstract expressionist potter Peter Voulkos. He also did pioneering work in raku, the 16th century technique which...
Ceramic
Paul Soldner Abstract Expressionist Studio Ceramic Vase
By Paul Soldner
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Paul Soldner (1921-2010) abstract expressionist pottery vase. Glaze in black and brown, partly unglazed. Excellent design, mint condition. Signed Soldner on the bottom. Measures: 10" H x 8 3/4" W. Paul Soldner (1921-2011) was an American ceramic artist, noted for his experimentation with the 16th...
Clay
American Raku Pottery Vessel by Paul Soldner
By Paul Soldner
Located in Atlanta, GA
A modern pottery vessel by American potter Paul Soldner (1921-2011) circa 1960s. Paul Soldner is renowned for his dedication to develop and further Raku firing in American pottery fi...
Pottery
$857
H 6.3 in W 5.52 in D 1.97 in
Abstract Tree Brown Ceramic Freeform circa 1970 Stoneware Pottery La Borne
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Abstract ceramic form with brown pottery glaze, circa 1970. Elegant colors. Realized in La Borne. Excellent original condition. Dimension: 16 x 14 x 5 cm.
Ceramic
$2,620Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.25 in W 6.75 in D 6.5 in
1970 Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase by Inge
Located in New Windsor, NY
Handmade slab built monumental Brutalist pottery vase. Meticulously decorated and glazed with organic and geometric patterns and shapes. Applied neck. Signed and dated, Inge, 70 a th...
Stoneware
Vintage Studio Pottery Ceramic Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Studio Pottery Ceramic Vase with a rounded, bulbous body, slightly flared neck, and understated vertical ridges that add tactile dimension to its handcrafted profile. The cer...
Ceramic
Hand-built Raku-fired Wabi Sabi Ikebana Vase
By MONDAYS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One-of-a-kind raku-fired vase. Wide and low with a small foot, and small opening. Made in our Brooklyn studio then fired in a New Jersey back yard, All dimensions are approximate...
Ceramic
$400
H 7.09 in Dm 12.6 in
French Art Deco Crackled Ceramic Vase, White with Delicate Crazing, 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This elegant French Art Deco ceramic vase from the 20th century is a beautiful example of timeless design and craftsmanship. Its rounded form, gently flared base, and slender neck cr...
Ceramic
$430Sale Price|25% Off
H 15.75 in Dm 7.75 in
Midcentury Ceramic Vase West Germany Uebelacker Keramik Studio Pottery
Located in Miami, FL
This tall collectable midcentury vintage vase was produced circa 1965 by the renowned manufacturer of West German pottery - Uebelacker Keramik. The vase features stunning green, oran...
Ceramic
MCM California Studio Pottery Stoneware Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice MCM California studio pottery stoneware vase with brown earth tones, circa 1970s. The vessel is in very good vintage condition with no chips...
Pottery
Raku Fired Vessel by Tony Evans Designs
By Tony Evans
Located in Denton, TX
Evan's distinctive style of raku pottery produced interesting fired and burnt glazes, both gloss and matte, that emulate patina, oxidation and verdigris, signed and labeled.
Clay
Tonala Folk Art Bird Mexican Hand Painted Colorful Pottery 1960s
By Tonala Pottery
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Tonala Folk Art Pottery Plate Hand Painted Flying Bird, Mexico, circa 1960's. Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery bird Folk Art. Flora de la Cruz ...
Ceramic
Vintage Gerald Hong Modernist Raku Studio Vessel c1980s California
Located in Oakland, CA
Gorgeous vintage modern raku vessel by noted Northern California artist, Gerald Hong. Hong is recognized for his innovative approach to raku ceramics, blen...
Clay
$1,371
H 10.24 in W 11.03 in D 9.85 in
Abstract Stoneware Sculpture by La Borne Potters, circa 1970, Signed
By La Borne Potters
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An abstract stoneware sculpture, circa 1970 by La Borne Potters. Signed. Unique piece.
Ceramic
$295
H 3.75 in W 2.63 in D 1.88 in
Antique Miniature Staffordshire Pottery Spaniel Dog Figurine with Confetti Fur
By Staffordshire
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique English Staffordshire pottery figurine. Depicting a seated Spaniel. With confetti fur and painted black highlights. Simply a wonderful Staffordshire dog figurine...
Pottery
Bronze 'Vessel' by Paul Soldner
By Paul Soldner
Located in Dallas, TX
Paul Soldner (April 24, 1921 – January 3, 2011) is known primarily as a ceramicist and for his pioneering work in the traditional Japanese firing technique of raku, In this rare, bea...
Bronze
Paul Soldner Decorative Colorful Midcentury Ceramic Pottery Plate Low Bowl
By Paul Soldner
Located in Studio City, CA
A unique and colorful piece by renowned American potter Paul Soldner who in the 1950s was Peter Voulkos' first student and later became famed for developing the technique now known a...
Earthenware
Sold
H 14.5 in W 9 in D 5 in
Paul Soldner Signed Large Raku Fired Mid-Century Modern Vessel Sculpture Vase
By Paul Soldner
Located in Studio City, CA
A rather unique and special piece by renowned American potter Paul Soldner who in the 1950s was Peter Voulkos' first student and later became famed for developing the technique now known as "American Raku", a practice of using low temperature salt firing...
Earthenware
Paul Soldner Raku Vessel
By Paul Soldner
Located in Winnetka, IL
This is a Paul Soldner( 1921-2011) 1970s raku vessel
Ceramic, Lucite